Istanbul Express Read Online Free PDF Page A

shrug. Women.
    The sun rose huge and smoldering into an empty sky. The light turned the entire world a ruddy orange. Cargo ships plied the fiery waters like vessels of old, their scarred and battered hulks transformed into ships of mirrored gold. Tiny fishing craft spun and darted about the behemoths, glittering fairy boats whose nets rose and fell like gossamer wings.
    They followed a gradual curve around the water’s edge. Then they ducked inland and were swallowed by the tallbuildings of a great metropolis. Only this particular city was dotted with structures beyond time—crumbling aqueducts, remains of medieval walls, a city garden sprouting a forest of Roman columns. Everywhere rose the slender needles of minarets, the mosque towers from which the Muslim faithful were called to prayer.
    Jake waited until Sally turned her beaming face back to the cabin to ask, “What’s with the change this morning?”
    â€œOh, you,” she smiled. “Isn’t it enough just to sit here and be excited about everything that’s up ahead?”
    â€œYou’ve been acting strange since yesterday,” Jake persisted. “One minute you’re as worried as I’ve ever seen, the next and you’re like a little kid at Christmas.”
    â€œNot just Sally,” Pierre added, watching his new wife.
    â€œIt’s out in the open now,” Sally said, refusing to release her excitement, her eyes stealing more glances out the window as the train wound through the slowly awakening city.
    â€œWhat, the Russian?”
    â€œHe was a snake,” Jasmyn said definitely. “But at least we can now see who it is we face.”
    â€œDimitri Kolonov is supposed to be an ally,” Pierre reminded them.
    Sally joined Jasmyn in a double-barrelled glare. Pierre raised hands in mock defeat. “I just thought somebody should mention it.”
    â€œHe is a snake,” Jasmyn repeated. “But a visible one.”
    â€œIt wasn’t the threat that scared me so,” Sally said, facing Jake. “It was the fact that I was hit when I felt protected.”
    â€œAnd from such an unexpected direction,” Jasmyn added.
    â€œSeeing that these are real people brings everything back into focus,” Sally went on. “It shrinks the danger down to size.”
    â€œThere are a lot of risks here besides Kolonov,” Jake reminded her quietly.
    â€œOf course there are.” Her dimpled smile returned. “Youwouldn’t want it any other way, neither of you would. And you both know it.”
    â€œMy friend,” Pierre offered, “I think we should accept that we are surrounded by superior minds.”
    The train chose that moment to slide into dusty shadows and enter the station. The engine chuffed in noisy relief, the whistle gave a long satisfied toot, the brakes squealed tiredly, and the train shuddered to a halt.
    The little group remained seated, looking from one to another, until Pierre said, “Something is missing here.”
    â€œWe need to start this adventure off right,” Sally agreed, reaching for Jasmyn’s hand. “Jake, will you lead us in prayer?”
    ----
    â€œExcellent, excellent. You arrived safe and sound.” Dimitri Kolonov stepped up as they were unloading their bags, as cold and polished as an ice sculpture. “You do not have someone from your consulate here to help you with your cases? What a disgrace.”
    Jake accepted the larger satchel from Sally. “We’re used to getting our hands dirty.”
    â€œAh, but those days are behind you, Colonel,” Kolonov responded, waving one gray-gloved finger. “Remember, that is what underlings are for, nyet? ”
    â€œAre you traveling with your wife and children, Mr. Kolonov?” Sally asked.
    â€œCall me Dimitri, please. After all, we shall be seeing so much of each other.”
    â€œI can hardly wait,” she said, smiling her thanks as Jake offered